re: Chavis talks DL, LB's, Secondary, Ed Paris and 2011 D on 104.5

Chavis talked a bit about Tahj Jones -- prayers, pleased with his recovery

HOST: Talk about LBs as the position he specifically oversees
CHAVIS: They're maturing -- mostly sophomores / juniors. This group set the tempo defensively for spring practice. They took step forward.

HOST: Beckwith and how he pulled him aside after Iowa game and told him they were going sticking him at MLB in spring
CHAVIS: Beckwith is understanding better what he needs to do in coverage and learning to work on communication -- the talent is certainly there. Just being in the huddle and being able to communicate with guys on the field, because down linemen are waiting on that position to make the calls. He understands the sense of urgency and the impact of the calls for both his position and the players around him.

HOST: Talk about the DT position
CHAVIS: Work in progress with Bain/Gilmore/Herron, who got lots of snaps in spring. A freshmen or two will come in and compete for snaps at DT. It's a rotating tackle position, when you recruit the right guys and they play well, they're going to leave early; you have to be able to reload. Haley does tremendous job with the front. The front won't be any different than the back end last year, where we had to end up starting two true freshmen at corner.

HOST: Sack totals down last year, but Hunter dominated in the spring. Can he be a double digits sack guy?
CHAVIS: No question. Started coming together for him late last year. He's mature, serious, and has all the skills. He had to come in early and play because there wasn't a lot of depth as in the past; and late last year in his sophomore season, he began to play at an SEC level.

HOST: Having two guys (in White and Robinson) on the outside at CB, what does that allow you to do as coordinator?
CHAVIS: One of the four cornerstones of the defense is when you have two CBs that can go and play zone and man-to-man. It allows you to overload on pressure because you can play one-on-one outside. He mentioned Hunter again coming into his own, and that he is an important piece to getting that pass rush; because when you play man-to-man you have to get pressure.

HOST: Talk about Ed Paris enrolling early
CHAVIS: Played well in the spring; gave up some throws late, but then you realize he hasn't even been to his prom yet. He got better; understands the system. Coach Raymond has done a great job getting the guys ready on the back end. Paris is going to play a lot of snaps this year … the dime package … with 6 DBs on the field they like for 4 of those guys to be CBs. Feels like he can count on him.

HOST: Safety -- big, physical safeties in the past (Reid, Loston); but Jefferson, Mills, Adams, Battle seem more athletic, speed guys. What's the philosophy / what types of players do you want at the safety position?
CHAVIS: Have to have a guy that can tackle, but it doesn't matter how well you matchup outside if you don't have a safety that can cover the slot. Teams will work the mismatch. If you have a former corner playing safety that can make all the tackles, then you feel comfortable. Referenced Brandon Taylor who was a former corner, but ended up being as good a safety as LSU has had.

HOST: The recruiting class 2013 -- the headliners are offense, but there are some real players coming in on defensive side. What players are you looking forward to coming in in the summer?
CHAVIS: A couple of guys will compete for playing time on the defensive front; one or two will give some depth. Two fine LBs are coming in; can be a factor on STs and compete.

HOST: 2011 defense was so dominant. Was the defensive backfield what gave you freedom and allowed you to get so much pressure up front, because you trusted Claiborne, Mathieu, Reid?
CHAVIS: Maybe as fine a secondary as he's ever been around; plus we were talented up front. Very gifted defense.

HOST: What if Peterson would have come back?
CHAVIS: What would it have been like to have 5-6 back this past year; but we take the ones we have and coach them hard. This group is willing to work and have the chance to be special. Wished spring practice wouldn't have ended so quickly, because it was so much fun going to work.